parts compatability & will it fit

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timothyr

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Okay, this will probably sound nuts, but I am just looking for a straight answers as I am new to the mark world, and like to make all of my cars "mine"...I am sure most of these I could discover on my own, but am hoping someone can save me a little time.

1. what all needs to be changed out to go from single din to double din (ie swap my 94 radio bexel for a 96+)

2. Is the steering column a direct swap between a gen 1 and gen 2 (I want a gen 1 with power column; i am not concerned about the memory portion)

3. How much space is there between the tail of the tranny and where the drive shaft passes the fuel tank (as in can I shove a gearvendors unit in there...I have an insane idea).

4. I am rebuilding the air suspension, and am interested in minimizing body roll and chasis flex while maintaining ride quality (thinking of addco bars, but have not seen any braces)...thoughts

5. will a vortech sc fit under the stock gen1 hood (I know there are better options for low end power, but for my purposes that is not a concern)

Thanks all in advance; cant wait to build my "hot rod lincoln"
 
gen 2 column wont work in a gen 1 unless you are a rocket scientist, making your radio a double din you will need to swap in a 95-96 dash, or 97-98 dash but then you open up a bigger can or worms with a 2nd gen dash.
 
Just install an aftermarket radio and leave the dash alone. What are your intentions and crazy ideas; we could offer better advice if we now your intentions. Gear vendors should fit but thats very expensive. Not really needed with the 4R70w.
 
Speed..Totally understand, maybe I am too used to my experience in the cadillac forums where they always tell me I am nuts and it cant be done; Similar to the "rocket science" remark above. worst case with a steering column i would need to be a mechanical engineer, not a rocket scientist, so what are the mechanical differences?

Seriously, as far as the radio I want built in nav, and I hate flip out screens. 99% of the people who have been in my cadillacs make the remark "I didnt know you could get a factory GPS in 93"; not to brag, but the installs are that good. As far as the column, I am more then anything personal accomplishment and bragging rights of having the only gen1 with a power column.

Now to the fun stuff (and slightly insane)
I have had very good experience with GV units in several different apps, and currently have a spare unit sitting around doing nothing. So the insanity goes like this....Build up the trans, and the GV, custom drive shaft and go with a trakloc 4.56. This is why I am thinking vortech vs whipple or KB...with the low gearing it should already be a tire shredder. With the ability to go effectivly triple over my only concern for high speed running will be the drive shaft (and I have a company that has built them for me in similar apps in the past with no issues).

The last thing going through my head is to swap in 88-89 mark vii seats with the adjustable leg rests and bolsters. I know I would have to do some electrical work for the control differences, the big issue is will mark 8 seat tracks mate to mark 7 seats?
 
Why not try super coupe seats? they should bolt in. And how are you going to fit a large enough tire in the rear to handle that? Are you doing mini tubs, I was under the impression that you can only fit a 255. Hell the shop that did my tires said 255 would rub so Id get no warranty. I had to talk them into the 245s.
 
the Gen2 column is crap anyway, it goes out and no more parts for the thing available...........mines never moved since i bought my car, i just set the thing up for me and turned it off...........

SC seats would be nice.........you would need to wire them, and you wont have the memory part work on them.........
 
From measuring it it looks like with the correct offset 255's would fit...that was the one part of the project I did check out....
I have not looked at supercoupe seats....i just really like the headrest, bolstering and leg extension on the mark vii seats.

as far as the memory side of things I am not worried, from other experience I have learned the "black magiic" to make any power seat have memory, with the column, I am sure parts can be rebuilt cant they?
 
The power column would be a wiring nightmate.

I hope you have a big checkbook, because if you do everything you have planned, your going to need it.
 
my question on the column is more like mechanically is it a direct fit...the wiring doesn't concern me.

As far as the money part... I doubt it will be worse than what I have into the 93 seville sitting in my garage....If I got top dollar for it right now I might recover 1/10th of what has gone into it; but damn its been fun.

Super coupe seats dont have the leg extensions....and there is a mark vii sitting in the junk yard with perfect front seats; they will be coming home tomorrow to be recovered
 
I am not surprised....just hoisted the rear end and started experimenting....a 255 is no problem whatsoever, I am going to try the 275's' that would make this little project seriously fun.
 
it's cheaper to get a 2nd Gen and find a junked 1st gen and swap the front with some modifications to the fenders, hood, bumper, etc. and also the rear can be done with alittle welding to the quarter panel swap...
 
Cobra, I am missing something...
I own a 94 that I am in the process of cleaning up, how is it cheaper for me to buy a gen 2 and graft the front and rear than it is for me to just swap the column (which I can get complete for about $50)?
Also, I thought the early gen1's had the better block (odb1 tuning does not concern me, been dealing with that side of thiings forever)
 
All Mark VIII's have the good (Teksid) block.
 
blue, I did not know this...thanks.

I am still trying to figure out what i am missing in cobras equation....has anyone tried to put a power column in a gen 1?
 
Timothy,
if you are so sure of your abilities, then why are you asking for people to spoon feed you information that you clearly have in front of you.

you have the 94 mark 8, you can get the column complete for 50 bucks?

give it a shot...then come tell US how you did it.

most here have given you good information, yet you keep wanting to debate with them about it.
Clearly, from early on you see that it hasn't been attempted here.

SO...go "break some new ground"!
then report back

seems simple enough.. it's all nuts and bolts..
 
jamie97lsc said:
gen 2 column wont work in a gen 1 unless you are a rocket scientist.
Click to expand...



Jamie is about a BAZILLION times more familiar with what WILL and WONT work between the different years of mark 8's and his very useful information was "batted down" like it was nothing...

(shakes head)

damn, thanks for trying Jamie..since the original poster has "not a clue".
 
My biggest problem with doing the mix and match gen 1/gen 2 interior is that the gen 2 interior is just nicer as an overall package, and you can't feasiby swap in the dash and cluster.... so just get a gen 2 :D

The other problem with the column swap is where are you going to put the ignition?
 
Sorry, as being new to the forum I am sure you can understand my skeptisisim when someone says you must be a rocket scientist to get it to work, and yet provides no technical information as to why it might not be possible....maybe I dont have a clue, but using the reasoning provided with the "rocket scientist" I am pretty sure that ford did not hire "rocket scientists" to build their steering columns....more than anything I was looking for actual facts and reasons for something

In as much as i am sure you are correct about jamie's level of knowledge, do you honestly believe that it would require a rocket scientist to swap a column?

Again I was not asking to be spoon fed, I was looking for true facts and experiences, not opinions, and definatly not flaming Bull$hit...I am not debating anything as the only remark made with any real certanty was the degree and occupation necessary to perform the swap...and I think we both know that those requirements are bull$:q:q:q:q.


Like I said; tainted for experience on cadillac boards...its like the crap on the tires...did alot of my own reasearch and was told 245 was pushing it....based on my own work, 255 are no prob, and as someone with actual experience on what they have seen and done chimed in 275 is about the limit.


By the way...what did jamie try? if a sarcastic rocket science remark is considered effort or knowledge I would hate to see ignorance.

Jamie - have you attempted the swap (I will assume you have inspected the parts from both cars sitting side by side)?

don't mean to rant, long day and i need a beer...i hate people saying no dice, with no explanation.....
 
Kid, active RFID....no key necessary, got it on all my cars and love it, then wire a bypass switch to the glove bok or ashtray; as far as the dash swap, i am thinking I will be using a 95-96 dash, and will match and wrapp it before it goes in.
 
Interesting....

BTW... Jamie has parted out like 1600 Mark VIII's... he has owned more Mark VIII than any other person... period.
 
from reading lots of other posts I figured as much, and I dont doubt his knowledge, I was just pissed for getting flamed over not being satisfied with the rocket science remark...I wanted to know what would stop it from working. I am assumming that xlrviii is tommy, who appears very knowledgeable as well....either way owe him a beer =)

RFID is awesome, for the mark I am going to put the engine start/stop button where the stock cig lighter is.

Its my never ending quest for knowledge
 
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